MISA Board Nominations
Message from the Nominations Committee
Submit a Nomination
About MISA
Board Member Roles and Responsibilities
Characteristics of Board Members
March 2021 Memorandum
This is a message from the MISA Board of Directors Nominations Committee:
We seek your help in identifying individuals potentially willing to serve on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture (MISA). The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. A term on the MISA Board is three years. You may nominate yourself or someone else to serve on the Board.
Beginning in the Summer of 2021, the following vacancies on the Board will be filled:
One (1) representative of the sustainable agriculture community (e.g., non-governmental organizations, business, government and citizen representatives)
Three (3) representatives of the university community with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture (e.g. faculty, staff, students, Extension,)
Two (2) representatives of the farming community with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture (farmers, ranchers)
We seek to have the board reflect diversity, especially with respect to gender, race, student status, geographic area, and occupation in the membership on the Board.
See below for detailed information about MISA, an application/nomination form, roles and responsibilities of Board members, and desired characteristics of Board members.
Please submit the application or nomination form to the MISA office by 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 21, 2021.
The Search Committee will continue to accept nominations until the vacancies are filled, but will be meeting after April 21 to begin identifying candidates for the Board.
Please contact the MISA office if you have any questions: call 612-625-8235 or send email to misamail@umn.edu.
Link to online application form
Submit a Nomination
Download PDF Form | Download MS Word .docx Form (right-click and choose "Open link in new window")
Link to online application form
About MISA
The purpose of MISA is to bring together the diverse interests of the agricultural community with interests from across the University community in a cooperative effort to develop and promote sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond.
MISA is an organization of the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), University of Minnesota Extension, and the Sustainers Coalition (SC). The SC consists of the following organizations:
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
Big River Farms, a program of The Food Group
Sustainable Farming Association of Minnesota
The Board consists of twelve to fifteen members. Membership on the Board shall reflect a 1/3 balance among: University representatives with a demonstrated interest in sustainable agriculture (e.g. faculty, staff, students, Extension, Regional Partnerships); sustainable agriculture practitioners (e.g. farmers and ranchers); and, representatives of the sustainable agriculture community (e.g., non-governmental organizations, business, government, and citizen representatives.) We seek to have the board reflect diversity, especially with respect to gender, race, student status, geographic area, and occupation in the membership of the Board and its committees.
For more information about serving on the Board of Directors, see the MISA web site (www.misa.umn.edu) or feel free to contact the MISA office at 1-800-909-6472; 612-625-8235; or email to misamail@umn.edu.
Roles and Responsibilities of MISA Board Members
Serve a three year term. Nominations shall be staggered so that 1/3 of the Directors are nominated annually. Occasionally, shorter terms are available when Board members resign before the end of their term.
Participate in 2-3 Board meetings per year. Typically there are two in-person meetings and conference calls as needed. Expenses for participation - mileage, meals, lodging, and phone bills are reimbursed by MISA
Serve on Board committees and task forces.
Contribute actively to discussion and critical thinking about sustainable agriculture in Minnesota and beyond. Board members participate in activities such as program evaluation, outreach, educational materials planning and review, and stimulating effective partnering between the U of M and citizens outside of the University.
Characteristics of Board members:
Supports philosophy and principles of sustainable agriculture and sustainable development.
Knowledge of sustainable agriculture and of Minnesota agriculture, or a willingness to learn about Minnesota agriculture.
An interest in citizen involvement and participation in sustainable agriculture and development and in university-community partnerships.
The ability to work with diverse groups and diverse viewpoints.
Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Is a systems thinker.
Is concerned about the long-term conservation of the ecosystem.
